Services
Aystree Consulting Virtual NED Services
Who Needs NED Services?
- Listed Companies & their International Subsidiaries
- Regulated Entities
- Private Equity-owned Groups
- Family-owned Companies
- SMEs - looking to enter new markets or raise additional funds
- Start-ups
Essential Characteristics of a NED?
ICSA – the Chartered Governance Institute lists 5 essential characteristics:
- Big Picture Thinker
- Governance Knowledge
- Independent Mindset
- Ambassadorial
- Energy & Enthusiasm
Added Value from AC
- Strong commercial awareness
- High emotional quotient
- Financial & legal background in highly regulated industries
- Executive board experience in listed & private regulated entities
- Significant global experience in Asia, Europe & United States
- Significant M&A experience on both buy and sell side
- Experience in start-up and large mature organisations
- Strong interest in ESG & learning & development
- Strong digital & technology understanding
- Integrity
Listed Company Experience
IPOs & Other Public Offers
- Executive Director for a Hong Kong Company that raised NZ$ 30 million through an IPO on New Zealand Stock Exchange as a listed fund
- Managed the listing process on the Hong Kong Exchange of a global corporate services group (acquired by PE Group for ~$1.1 billion 5 days before listing hearing)
- Oversaw the public offer for an Indian Listed Broker by US listed group through Mauritian vehicle
- Preparation of an offer to acquire control of a Singapore listed entity
- Preparation of the financial figures for the merger of 2 listed Companies in Hong Kong
- An independent director on the Boards of 2 investment trusts seeking IPOs
Financial Reporting
- Forecast updates to identify risks to earnings targets and revision to rest of year targets
- Preparation of materials and talking points for earnings calls
- Review of all statutory and Exchange filings including 10Q, 10K and proxy statements filed with the SEC
- Preparation and review of materials for rating agencies
- Drafting of MD&A for areas under my control
- Member of the Group financial reporting Committee
- Coaching / Mentoring of other team members to increase bandwidth
Investor Relations
- Ensuring transparency, consistency & timeliness in communications
- Standardise reporting templates
- Early communication of trends & anomalies
- Identification of key metrics for investors
- Preparation of materials for annual analysts’ offsite
Value Add To PE / VC Backed Companies
Commercial Awareness
- Broad global service industry experience
- Strong digital / online experience
- Experience of outsourcing and offshoring to dive margin enhancement
- Identification of integration opportunities within group and with vendors
- Ensuring all projects have key milestones and accountability
Emotional Intelligence
- Quickly adapt to new corporate & cultural environments
- Respect different leadership & personality styles of CEOs and colleagues
- Strong coaching and mentorship mentality
- Value of Team is greater than any individual member
Financial Astuteness
- Over 20 years CFO experience in a high growth businesses across the globe
- Highly analytical with a focus on both revenue and cost drivers and their trends
- Strong understanding of the financial implications of investment in technology and marketing
New Market Entry
- Established new regulated entities in foreign markets
- Worked with regulators to gain approval of new innovative products
- Worked with global agencies to launch established US brand in new markets
- Worked with global consulting firms to assess market opportunities and competitive landscape
Gravitas & Integrity
- Qualified Chartered Accountant & Law Degree
- Over 30 years experience operating at board level in UK and overseas
- Member of both the UK and Singapore Institute of Directors
- Former MD & CEO of Indian Listed Financial Services Group
M&A & Exits
- Oversaw the sale of a listed financial services group to HSBC for ~US$300 million
- Led the IPO channel of a global corporate services provider leading to a trade sale of ~US$1.1 billion
- Managed due diligence exercises for both acquiror and acquiree in both public & private sectors
- Sale of the start-up to E*TRADE for US$122m
Value Add For Start-ups & Owner-managed Companies
Commercial Awareness
- Recognise the importance of cash & cash flow forecasting
- Global procurement experience
- Strong understanding of non-finance functions such as marketing and technology
- Experience of compensation structures & equity plans
- Understand need for focus, execution and accountability
Emotional Intelligence
- Highly respectful of different leadership styles
- Strong coaching & mentorship mentality for CEO & other management team members
- Recognise value & importance of the support functions as well as the revenue generators
- Significant global experience and cultural exposure
Financial Astuteness
- Advise on appropriate metrics and dashboards for management to monitor
- Present financial information in a transparent and clear manner for investors and banks
- Streamline corporate structures to leverage capital and be fiscally efficient
New Market Entry
- Guidance on selection of 3rd party vendors in overseas markets
- Assist with identification and solutions to barriers of entry
- Guidance on approach to any regulatory authorities
Gravitas & Integrity
- Qualified Chartered Accountant & Law Degree
- Over 30 years experience operating at board level in UK and overseas
- Member of both the UK and Singapore Institute of Directors
- Former MD & CEO of Indian Listed Financial Services Group
M&A & Exits
- Provide guidance on the content of any investor presentations and due diligence packs
- Assist in the selection of intermediaries to handle the sale
- Identify potential buyers & synergy opportunities
- Roadmap to highlight margin expansion
Unlock your business potential with AC’s Services.
"I have worked with Leslie during one of the more challenging assignments in my career. Leslie was always able to bring much needed pragmatism into his advice which could only come from a deep yet broad experience across many industries. I have no doubt he would be able to bring value to many organisations that seek out his advice.”
Lawrence Tsang
CFO Asia Pacific, Grosvenor Group ( Former CFO of Vistra Group )
“I have worked with Leslie for much of the past 20 years. He was CFO and an Executive Committee member of a company, TIR Securities, which I helped found in 1989 and ran as CEO through 1999. During those years, Leslie was not only a dedicated finance executive but also an extremely valuable business executive who helped shape and run that company from its start to its eventual sale to E*TRADE in 1999. At E*TRADE, Leslie showed that he was as effective in a large global organization as he had been in a small start-up environment. He held many key roles at E*TRADE, including the head of International Finance and the head of Global Institutional Finance. In the end, E*TRADE took a strategic stake in a large financial services firm in India and inserted Leslie as CEO of that business. Once again, Leslie showed his skills as both a finance executive but also as a valuable business executive capable of shaping and running a business. Leslie is hardworking, innovative, trustworthy and of the highest integrity and would be a valuable asset within any organization.”
Jarrett Lilien
President & COO, Wisdom Tree, (former CEO & President of E*TRADE Group)
“I have worked with Leslie in a number of capacities for nearly 10 years. Leslie worked in a variety of senior roles in international and institutional finance during the time that I was the Chief Financial Officer of E*TRADE Financial. Leslie has always proven himself extremely reliable and capable in his roles. He was able to negotiate a very challenging settlement with an important counterparty with which we had a long-standing dispute--and remain in good standing with them after it was done. He has always been flexible and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. When we needed someone to be Chief Executive of an investment we made in India, Leslie was our go-to guy for the job. When I needed someone to take a divisional CFO role in a very challenging situtation, with a very difficult business head, Leslie was able to manage the situation brilliantly. For the last year or so, Leslie and I have been partners in a small, 12-partner private investment company based out of New York. I can't speak highly enough of Leslie's integrity, capability, and his charming style.”
Robert Simmons
CFO Sky West Inc, (former CFO of E*TRADE Group)
" My experience with Leslie as one of his direct reports had been immensely rewarding and he is one of the reasons why I enjoyed my work so much. The way he interacts with employees and what actions he takes to encourage the team's success. He listened with empathy to others and considered their viewpoint as well as his own. He rarely interrupted anyone which was pleasing. Always presented his opinion in a considerate way without upsetting his listeners. He made excellent progress in the management of his team. He ensured key stakeholders were involved in decision-making and had gone to great lengths to gain commitment and help from his team."
Deepak Sharma
Managing Director, Sarthi Capital Advisors Private Limited (former COO, Investsmart Limited)
"I have worked closely with Leslie for more than twenty years. At TIR then at E*TRADE. At E*TRADE in particular when I was responsible for International activities and where Leslie was the CFO. Leslie was much more than a CFO. Beyond his financial expertise he has a strategic sense that has proven to be invaluable. A very serious understanding of what it takes to run and grow a global digital business. I would like to add two more strengths that Leslie has demonstrated year after year: I would like to add two more strengths that Leslie has demonstrated year after year: a very practical “business sense” and very strong ethics “
